John Wayne Parr – The Gunslinger

John Wayne Parr, also known as JWP, is an Australian kickboxer and boxer, fighting out of Boonchu Gym in Gold Coast, Queensland. He is a former 10-time World Champion and was the runner up on The Contender Asia.

00:00 Trailer.
02:01 Brian’s thoughts on the episode.
04:59 Brian’s Introduction.
05:50 Winning 125th fight at 40.
06:29 Brief retirement was time needed to reconnect with his ‘why’.
09:17 “Silly”, “fun” “love”, words not usually equated with MMA.
13:00 Movement training views.
16:29 What drives him to keep fighting?
22:19 The route to Thailand and Thai Boxing aged 19.
30:26 History of Thai Boxing and why it’s highly regarded as a national sport.
32:49 How John Wayne became the “gunslinger”.
35:55 Living and learning in Thailand, with advice to visiting Westerners.
44:52 A tough time follows.
48:25 Recognition and success arrives.
57:04 Return to Australia and making a successful life there.
1:00:08 The Contender Asia.
1:05:53 Fighting with emotion.
1:09:03 Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor fight.
1:14:32 UFC 200 and Mark Hunt.
1:18:56 Thoughts on Brock Lesnar.
1:21:55 Ronda Rousey fight with Holly Holm in Sydney, Australia.
1:27:07 Coping strategy after a lost fight.
1:28:42 Why is John not a UFC fighter?
1:32:16 How does John justify enjoying something so violent?
1:41:37 John’s belief in the spirit world and the influence of Buddhism.
1:49:42 Success Secrets.
1:5018 Who John considers is successful.
2:02:29 About Joe Rogan.
2:06:51 Brian’s summing up.
2:08:59 Call to the 20 year old John Wayne Parr.
2:09:40 Best advice ever received.
2:11:14 Call to the 20 year old who wants to fight and be like him.

Great interview. JWP is one of those truly inspirational human beings. Really interesting to get his take on Thai culture too. What JWP’s absorbed, learned, taught and transmitted over the years is more than sport.